What is public speaking?

A public speaking is a process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, inspire or entertain the listeners. Public speaking concerns ranges from a generalized worry over not being prepared to being downright terrified before stepping on stage. Therefore, public speaking is an instrumental art and a useful art that is also a skill which can be applied by an individual to better ones life, the entire family and even the society at large. To get back to the genesis of public speaking, we explore the ancient Sicily, then under the Greek control. It was during this period that the art of speaking began to be taught because of a serious practical need. According to Roswell L. Atwood, the people had just obtained their freedom from a dictator by the name Thrasybulus who took all estates of the so called his enemies and distributed them among his best friends. When later, the dictator was overthrown, the original estate possessors came forward with their claims and the courts of law were full of people demanding their rightful possessions.

It was here that the usual practice was for parties to handle the lawsuits themselves without being represented by a lawyer. So, each and every person was to conduct his own case in a court of law, stating and arguing in accordance with his ability. Those who stood better chance were plausible and eloquent citizens because they could easily secure their rights while the diffident neighbor would easily get no justice. It was this inequality in speaking ability that inspired a man named Corax to offer instructions in some of the points of law and to assist the ordinary citizen argue his case out before the court of law.

             A valid claim might be made by for an estate left in inheritance before the dictatorship but proof beyond reasonable doubt would have to be produced. Therefore, Corax helped clients in the ordinary presentation of their claims thereby arranging the details of the procedure, collecting documents and evidence until he made sure that justice was done and the rule of the law uphold. But most of his activity was instruction in speaking so as to appeal to the sense of justice.